I was the main earner

Stage 4 breast cancer, diagnosed May 2020; (stage 3 in September 2016). Married, with two children aged 11 and 13. I worked full-time as a social worker prior to my initial diagnosis in 2016. I then reduced to 4 days per week and am now working 2.5 days.

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I really want to keep working, as my job is very much part of my identity. Work is also important, financially. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was the main earner in the house. Because of my diagnosis and treatment, we have not been able to do planned work on the house or take the children on holidays outside of Ireland. The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.

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The financial implications of long-term cancer are extremely stressful. I'm back on sick pay now, but went a year without it. We have had to beg the bank and borrow from family. If we were renting, I have no idea how we would have escaped homelessness. I now have cancer in my lungs, liver and multiple bones and I'm on IV chemotherapy. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to work as a social worker and how we'll support two teenagers on my husband’s wage when I stop working. My only consolation is that, when I die, the mortgage will be paid and my husband will get some form of pension.

Ireland

“The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.”

Ireland

I was the main earner

“The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.”

Stage 4 breast cancer, diagnosed May 2020; (stage 3 in September 2016). Married, with two children aged 11 and 13. I worked full-time as a social worker prior to my initial diagnosis in 2016. I then reduced to 4 days per week and am now working 2.5 days.

‍

I really want to keep working, as my job is very much part of my identity. Work is also important, financially. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was the main earner in the house. Because of my diagnosis and treatment, we have not been able to do planned work on the house or take the children on holidays outside of Ireland. The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.

‍

The financial implications of long-term cancer are extremely stressful. I'm back on sick pay now, but went a year without it. We have had to beg the bank and borrow from family. If we were renting, I have no idea how we would have escaped homelessness. I now have cancer in my lungs, liver and multiple bones and I'm on IV chemotherapy. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to work as a social worker and how we'll support two teenagers on my husband’s wage when I stop working. My only consolation is that, when I die, the mortgage will be paid and my husband will get some form of pension.

Ireland

I was the main earner

“The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.”

Stage 4 breast cancer, diagnosed May 2020; (stage 3 in September 2016). Married, with two children aged 11 and 13. I worked full-time as a social worker prior to my initial diagnosis in 2016. I then reduced to 4 days per week and am now working 2.5 days.

‍

I really want to keep working, as my job is very much part of my identity. Work is also important, financially. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was the main earner in the house. Because of my diagnosis and treatment, we have not been able to do planned work on the house or take the children on holidays outside of Ireland. The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.

‍

The financial implications of long-term cancer are extremely stressful. I'm back on sick pay now, but went a year without it. We have had to beg the bank and borrow from family. If we were renting, I have no idea how we would have escaped homelessness. I now have cancer in my lungs, liver and multiple bones and I'm on IV chemotherapy. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to work as a social worker and how we'll support two teenagers on my husband’s wage when I stop working. My only consolation is that, when I die, the mortgage will be paid and my husband will get some form of pension.

Ireland

I was the main earner

“The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.”

Stage 4 breast cancer, diagnosed May 2020; (stage 3 in September 2016). Married, with two children aged 11 and 13. I worked full-time as a social worker prior to my initial diagnosis in 2016. I then reduced to 4 days per week and am now working 2.5 days.

‍

I really want to keep working, as my job is very much part of my identity. Work is also important, financially. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was the main earner in the house. Because of my diagnosis and treatment, we have not been able to do planned work on the house or take the children on holidays outside of Ireland. The financial stress brought on by cancer is like having a second illness.

‍

The financial implications of long-term cancer are extremely stressful. I'm back on sick pay now, but went a year without it. We have had to beg the bank and borrow from family. If we were renting, I have no idea how we would have escaped homelessness. I now have cancer in my lungs, liver and multiple bones and I'm on IV chemotherapy. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to work as a social worker and how we'll support two teenagers on my husband’s wage when I stop working. My only consolation is that, when I die, the mortgage will be paid and my husband will get some form of pension.